Breaking news: Investigation into Leman Magazine! 4 people detained

An investigation launched ex officio by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for the crime of "publicly insulting religious values" regarding the publication of a cartoon of Prophet Muhammad in a humor magazine is ongoing.

DETAINED

Interior Minister Yerlikaya said, "I once again condemn those who try to sow discord by drawing a caricature of our Prophet (PBUH). The person named DP who made this vile drawing has been caught and detained. I repeat once more: These shameless people will be held accountable before the law."

Yerlikaya had used the following expressions in his previous post: I once again condemn those who try to sow discord by drawing a caricature of our Prophet (PBUH). The person named DP who made this vile drawing has been caught and detained. I repeat once more: These shameless people will be held accountable before the law.

I once again condemn those who are trying to sow discord by drawing a caricature of our Prophet (PBUH). The person named DP who made this vile drawing has been caught and detained. I repeat once again:

These shameless people will be held accountable before the law. pic.twitter.com/7xYe94B65d

— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) June 30, 2025

MAGAZINE'S GRAPHICIST WAS ALSO CAUGHT

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that the graphic designer of a humor magazine was detained regarding the publication of a cartoon of Prophet Muhammad. Minister Yerlikaya shared the following on his social media account: "The graphic designer of Hadsiz magazine, CO, was also caught and detained. This vile act against our beloved Prophet (PBUH) will receive the punishment it deserves under the law."

Hadsiz derginin grafikeri CO adlı şahıs da yakalanarak gözaltına alındı.

Sevgili Peygamberimize (SAV) yönelik gerçekleştirilen bu alçaklık hukuk önünde hak ettiği cezayı görecektir. pic.twitter.com/deWsbRWPFi

—Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) June30, 2025

MAGAZINE'S EDITORIAL DIRECTOR WAS CAUGHT

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that the Editor-in-Chief of a humor magazine was detained in relation to the publication of a caricature of the Prophet Muhammad.

Minister Yerlikaya, in a post he made on his social media account, said, 'You will not be able to escape from our security forces or justice. The Editor-in-Chief of the magazine, ZA, who had the impudence to draw our Prophet (PBUH), was also caught and detained.'

MAGAZINE'S INSTITUTIONAL MANAGER WAS CAUGHT

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that the Director of a humor magazine was detained in relation to the publication of a caricature of the Prophet Muhammad.

Minister Yerlikaya, in a post he shared on his social media account, said, 'The person named AY, the Institution Manager of the magazine who had the impudence of drawing the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was also caught and detained by our security forces.'

ISTANBUL PROVINCIAL POLICE DIRECTOR YILDIZ: 4 SUSPICIOUS PERSONS WERE DETAINED

Istanbul Provincial Police Chief Selami Yıldız stated that four suspects were detained in relation to the publication of a cartoon of Prophet Muhammad in a humor magazine, and said, "This disrespect towards our Prophet will find the harshest response it deserves before the law."

Yıldız, in his statement on his social media account, noted the following:

"I strongly condemn the impudence of caricaturing our Prophet. Four suspects have been detained in relation to this vile act in accordance with the instructions of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. This disrespect towards our Prophet will receive the harshest response it deserves before the law."

COLLECTION DECISION ABOUT THE MAGAZINE

Within the scope of the investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was decided to collect the issue of the magazine in question. It was also stated that the necessary work was initiated to block access to the magazine's social media accounts.

REACTIONS TO THE MAGAZINE THAT PUBLISHED THE CARTOON OF PROPHET MUHAMMED IN ISTANBUL

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Istanbul reacted on their social media accounts to the publication of a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad in a humor magazine.

The Chairman of the Turkish Youth Foundation (TÜGVA), İbrahim Beşinci, said, "There is a trace of the migration in the heart of this nation, a spirit from Badr, and a discipline from Medina. We are a generation that has engraved His (pbuh) name in our hearts and lives. If a magazine that spews hatred against our values ​​under the name of 'humor' is going to appear in this country, it should either close its doors or return to its real purpose. There is no place in these lands for those who insult our faith, and there are many paths for those who will be held accountable."

The Women and Democracy Association (KADEM) shared the following: "We know very well that Leman Magazine and similar organizations, which target the faith of the society under the guise of 'humor' and consider belittling religious values ​​as a skill, are after provocation! We are also aware of who and how the climate they want to create will serve. However, they will not be able to achieve this with their low-level ironies and caricatures that lack decency. While history is full of many talented charlatans whose names no one remembers, the values ​​they underestimate will always live on!"

The Communication Platform shared, "Freedom of expression and the press cannot be used as a weapon to attack Islam and Islamic values. Freedom does not mean limitlessness, irresponsibility, or pouring everything that comes to mind into the pages. Whatever is necessary must be done urgently to prevent these provocations and attacks from happening again."

In a post by the Turkish Youth and Education Service Foundation (TÜRGEV), it was stated, "We reject the low-quality content in Leman Magazine that targets the religious beliefs of society. No one has the right to insult our sacred values ​​under the pretext of humor. We never accept this understanding that serves to create hatred and tension in society."

On the other hand, a group gathered in front of the magazine's building on İmam Adnan Street in Beyoğlu's İstiklal Avenue and chanted various slogans to protest the publication of a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad.

While police teams took precautions in the area, the entrances and exits of the street where the magazine is located were closed with barriers. After the call to prayer for night prayer was recited, the group prayed on Istiklal Street. When the group members tried to force the barriers while waiting, the police intervened with pepper spray. The group continues to wait at the entrance of the street where the magazine building is located.

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR GÜL

Istanbul Governor Davut Gül made the following statement: All four individuals for whom there was a detention warrant were caught by our security forces. It was determined that some individuals who were among the demonstrators were engaging in provocative actions. It is important that the groups demonstrating are dispersed in order to prevent our citizens from being harmed and to maintain public order. No one has the right or freedom to commit a crime, regardless of the reason.